Associate - Real Estate

BakerHostetler; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 240,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Top-tier benefits

Mentorship from industry leaders

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

BakerHostetler's Cleveland office seeks a junior- to mid-level associate with 3–6 years of real estate experience to join its Real Estate team within the Business Practice Group. You will work on sophisticated real estate transactions for a diverse client base, including regional, national, and multinational companies.

The ideal candidate has strong drafting skills, can manage a fast-paced workload, and collaborates effectively with clients, title companies, surveyors, and opposing counsel.

Qualifications

• Experience handling a wide variety of complex commercial real estate transactions from start to finish, including purchases and sales, development, leasing, and financing.
• Experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, development agreements, easements, declarations, legal opinions, and closing documents.
• Experience with real estate diligence review and analysis, including title and survey, zoning, existing leases, environmental matters.
• Experience handling real estate diligence and drafting in connection with mergers and acquisitions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with clients, title companies, surveyors, and opposing counsel.
• Ability to manage a fast-paced, complex workload while maintaining priorities and taking on responsibility.
• Strong commitment and interpersonal skills to succeed in a collaborative team environment.
• Must be admitted to practice in Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Work on sophisticated real estate transactions for a diverse client base, including regional, national, and multinational companies.
• Draft and negotiate contracts and closing documents; manage diligence.
• Collaborate with clients, title companies, surveyors, and opposing counsel; manage timelines.

Skills

Drafting skills

Client communication

Collaboration

Time management

Education

J.D. from a recognized law school

Job description

The Cleveland office of BakerHostetler is seeking a junior- to mid-level associate with 3–6 years of experience to join its Real Estate team, part of the firm’s Business Practice Group. This role offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated real estate transactions for a diverse client base, including regional, national, and multinational companies. The ideal candidate will have strong transactional real estate experience, excellent drafting skills, and a collaborative approach to client service.

Qualifications Include

• Experience handling a wide variety of complex commercial real estate transactions from start to finish, including purchases and sales, development, leasing, and financing
• Experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, development agreements, easements, declarations, legal opinions, and closing documents
• Experience with all aspects of real estate diligence review and analysis, including title and survey, zoning, existing leases, environmental matters, and transaction authorization
• Experience handling real estate diligence and drafting in connection with mergers and acquisitions
• Effective and persuasive written and oral communication skills, including experience speaking directly with clients, title companies, surveyors, and opposing counsel
• Ability to manage a fast-paced, complex workload while maintaining priorities, anticipating issues, and assuming a high degree of responsibility
• The professional commitment and interpersonal skills necessary to succeed in a collaborative team environment
• A strong academic record, having earned a J.D. from a nationally recognized and accredited law school
• Must be admitted to practice law in the state of Ohio

Pluses Include

• Real estate finance experience
• Franchise real estate acquisition and leasing experience
• Joint venture experience
• Hospitality, home builder, and/or community development experience
• Zoning and land use experience

Successful Candidates Will Have Demonstrated

• Professional commitment and interpersonal skills necessary to succeed in a collaborative team environment
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Clear and concise communication style (oral and written) with clients and team members

Why BakerHostetler?

• Ranked No. 11 in Vault Law’s 2026 “Best Law Firms to Work For”
• Cleveland ranked No. 1 in The American Lawyer’s 2025 Midlevel Associate Survey
• Work on sophisticated matters with mentorship from industry leaders
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial environment with opportunities for professional and business development
• Competitive salary and top-tier benefits
• A commitment to the legal profession and our local community

Location

This position is located in Cleveland, Ohio.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $240,000 - $300,000. The salary offered in any location will be determined by a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, experience level, education/training, geographic region, and relevant skills. Associates also participate in a performance- and hours-based bonus program.

Baker & Hostetler LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.